Seismic base isolation system for barrel racks

ABSTRACT

This base isolation system protects barrel racks from earthquake motions through a pad designed to slide on a prepared surface to critically reduce the amount of energy otherwise transferred to a stack of barrels. The pad is comprised of two layers: a plate, usually steel, and an underlayer, usually a high density plastic. The interaction of the underlayer with the prepared surface depends on a coefficient of static and kinetic friction between the underlayer and the surface that prevents relative movement in normal operation and yet allows the isolation pad to move relative to the surface during a seismic event.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY AND CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority fromU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/344,846, filed Jun. 2, 2016;and from U.S. Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 15/081,707, filedMar. 25, 2016 each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a frictional base isolationsystem for use in racks to protect wine barrels from seismic damage, andmore particularly to a seismic base isolation system for barrel racks.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

Seismic engineering has long been applied to protecting buildings fromthe dangers of earthquakes and other tectonic events. Where stiffnesswas prized in the building of ancient sites like Chichen Itza to helpthe structure survive the shifting earth, modern architects andengineers prize flexibility to weather the forces of an earthquake. Onecommon system used is base isolation, which allows the structure to moveindependently of the foundation, thus isolating the base from suddenshifts of the foundation. One of the oldest known examples of anisolated base is the Tomb of Cyrus, a structure dedicated to the firstruler of the Persian Empire.

Modern seismic isolation systems, such as floors or plates designed toisolate equipment from sudden foundational shifts can be important invarious applications. In particular, seismic base isolation systems areoftentimes powerful tools of earthquake engineering and often used toisolate non-structural contents of a building and/or sensitive equipmentagainst sudden ground motions, which may be caused by a seismic event,such as earthquake, a natural event, a blast wave, etc. Typicalapplications for seismic isolation systems including buildings with highvalue assets, such as data centers, hospitals, museums, manufacturerswith critical equipment, warehouses, laboratories and/or any applicationwhere it is important to protect critical assets. One goal of anyseismic isolation system is to maximize safety, business continuity, andpreservation of irreplaceable items.

Many American wine producers are located in tectonically active areas,especially the world-renowned Napa Valley region. A wine barrel can holdabout 60 gallons (228 liters) of wine and can weigh more than a quarterton. Depending on the type of wine to be produced, the wine may spendanywhere from a few months to as many as ten years in a barrel to age.

After the dust settled from the earthquake in August 2014, Napa Valleyvintners and their surrounding community lost an estimated $100 million.While modern building codes limited damages to many structures, there isno industry standard or regulation as to barrel storage. Few winemakershad specific systems to protect the storage structures within theirbuildings in spite of the fact that each barrel can be worth tens ofthousands in lost profit if lost in an earthquake.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,097,027 describes a seismic isolation system which usestwo plates a base plate and a top plate. The base plate has a texturedtop surface and the top plate is positioned above it with a non-texturedbottom surface. Either surface can have a coating such as polyester or alow surface energy coating to modify the frictional characteristics ofthe surface. In normal operation, the coefficient of static frictionprevents relative motion of the two plates. In a seismic event, the topplate can move relative to the base plate. The system optionally cancontained an internal damper to provide displacement control. The wholeof U.S. Pat. No. 9,097,027 is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a graph of the coefficient of friction between theisolation system and a polished concrete surface for various loads.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the isolation system installed under awine barrel rack according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of another example of the isolation systemwithout containers loaded.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of yet another example of the isolationsystem without containers loaded.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an isolation pad for use with theisolation system of FIG. 1 shown without the container holdingstructure.

FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the isolation pad of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4B is a bottom plan view of the isolation pad of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the isolation pad taken along line5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the isolation pad taken along line6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevated detailed view of the attachment means of theisolation pad of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 8 is perspective view of a cap for use with the isolation pad ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of one end of the isolation pad of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 10 shows a variety of attachment methods between the isolation padand the container holding structure.

FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of another example of the isolationsystem loaded using releasable connectors to secure the containerholding structure.

FIG. 11B shows a schematic of the example releasable connector shown inFIG. 11A in the closed position.

FIG. 11C shows a schematic of the example releasable connector shown inFIG. 11A in the open position.

FIG. 12A is a top plan view of the isolation pad of FIG. 11.

FIG. 12B is a front plan view of the isolation pad of FIG. 11.

FIG. 12C is a bottom plan view of the isolation pad of FIG. 11.

FIG. 12D is a side elevated view of the isolation pad of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13A is a rear elevated view of the support system of the isolationpad of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13B is a top elevated view of the support system of the isolationpad of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13C is a top elevated view of the support system of the isolationpad of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a technology for, among other things, providing baseisolation to protect wine barrels, casks, or other any other containerfrom sudden ground motions, such as an earthquake, blast wave, or otherevent. In one example, the disclosure relates to a seismic isolation padcomprising at least a plate and a underlayer. In this example, the plateand underlayer are affixed to each other. The container or containerholding structure rests on the plate. The underlayer rests on afoundation which can be the ground, floor, building foundation, or anysimilar structure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thata foundation can be any supporting layer of a structure, and a floor canbe the walking surface of a room, which may vary from simple dirt tomany-layered surfaces using modern technology, such as stone, wood,bamboo, metal, or any other material that can hold a person's orequipment's weight.

In addition, the coefficients of static and kinetic friction between theunderlayer and the foundation can prevent relative movement of the twoplates with normal operation and yet allow the plate to move relative tothe foundation during a seismic event. In an example, the coefficient ofkinetic friction is low so that the underlayer can move relative to thefoundation during a seismic event, but not too low so that the stabilityof the system is maintained when the isolation pad is moving in theseismic event. More particularly, the coefficient of static friction islow so that the isolation pad can begin moving when a seismic eventoccurs, but is sufficiently high to prevent movement of the pad innormal operation. Similarly, the coefficient of friction of the plateand the container or container holding structure must be sufficientlyhigh that the isolation pad does not move relative to the containers, ifit is not affixed.

In one example, the underlayer is in communication with the foundationand the plate is in communication with the container or containerholding structure. The plate can be textured, so that the interfacebetween the plate and the container or container holding structure isnot smooth. The underlayer (which interfaces with the foundation) issmooth or non-textured, resulting in the desired coefficients of kineticand static friction between the underlayer and the surface. In anotherexample, an additional material (e.g., a lubricating fluid, platecoating, etc.) may be deposited between the underlayer and thefoundation to achieve an optimal or desired coefficient of friction.

In one example, the plate and underlayer may be designed to an optimalthickness. In one example, the plate is 0.25″ steel plate. In anotherexample, the plate may be corrosion-resistant.

In some examples, the plate is welded to the container holdingstructure. In another example, the disclosed plate is textured withdiamond-shaped ridges. Such diamond-shaped ridges create a texturedsurface and optimize the coefficients of static and kinetic frictionbetween the plate and the container or container holding structure inorder to maximize the stability of seismic isolation system both whenthe foundation is moving and when the foundation is not moving.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a sliding surface (e.g., thefoundation or the plate) has a coating forming the underlayer in orderto achieve the desired coefficients of kinetic and static friction. Theunderlayer coating may be made of a material such as polyethylene. Forinstance, in one example, the plate is made of a suitable material(e.g., steel) and coated with an underlayer of polyethylene. It isappreciated that one of ordinary skill could utilize high densitypolyethylene (HDPE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW),polyester triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC polyester), a commerciallyavailable polyester powder coating, or a silicone-epoxy, low surfaceenergy coating, depending on the situation and desired coefficient offriction.

In operation, the disclosed seismic isolation pad is first placed abovea foundation. For example, the underlayer can be set directly on aground, floor, building, or floor tile. Moreover, one of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that the number, size, and shape of the plateor plates may vary as desired. The container or container holdingstructure is placed on top of the plate and optionally affixed to it. Inone example, the container holding structure is welded to the plate. Oneof ordinary skill would appreciate that the plate could also be affixedto the container or container holding structure with any conventionalmeans including adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or the like. Thecoefficients of static and kinetic friction between the underlayer andthe foundation prevent relative movement of the two plates with normaloperation and yet allow the top plate to move relative to the base plateduring a seismic event.

If the coefficient of friction between the foundation and the underlayeris not desirable the floor can be altered to change this property. Forinstance, if the floor has too low of a coefficient of friction, texturecan be added such as ridges in the foundation. More commonly, thecoefficient of friction is too high especially because many storagefacilities use some form of concrete floors. These conventional floortypes include conventional concrete, cementious urethane, epoxysuspended marble and quartz, and epoxy finished flooring.

In the concrete floor example, the floors can be machined or polished tolower the coefficient of friction. For a concrete floor, one exampleprocess is done in a series of steps beginning with a coarse diamondwheel. The diamond segments in the wheel are coarse enough to removeminor pits, blemishes, stains, or light coatings from the floor inpreparation for final smoothing. This initial rough grinding isgenerally a three to four step process. The next steps involve finegrinding and lapping of the concrete surface using an internalimpregnating sealer. Alternatively, an additional material (e.g.,lubricate liquid) may be added between the base plate and the top plateto achieve the desired coefficients of kinetic and static friction.

The graph of FIG. 1 shows the effects results of polishing concrete onthe coefficient of friction. This chart shows the friction versusdisplacement for various loads of the system. As is noted, on the graph,the example system maintains an approximant 8% coefficient of frictionwith a load of 9,600 lbs.

The present disclosure also relates to a seismic isolation system with adamping system. In one example, one or more external dampers are mountedbesides the isolation pad and affixed to the plate, container, orcontainer holding structure, in order to limit and/or dampen themovement of container or container holding structure in an earthquake.The damping system can further include one or more internal dampers(e.g., neoprene dampers) mounted on the uncovered part of the plate orthe foundation under the container or container holding structure andcapable of limiting or damping any movement.

The present disclosure also relates to methods for providing baseisolation against earthquake forces. The disclosed method includes atleast one of the following steps: adding an underlayer to a plate tocreate an isolation pad wherein the underlayer is selected to have asuitable coefficient of friction with a foundation to keep the containeror container holding structure still under normal operation but allowmovement in a seismic event; locating and affixing the isolation padunder the container or container holding structure; and optionallypolishing or otherwise altering the foundation (e.g., floor or ground)to refine the coefficient of friction.

FIG. 2A shows an example isolation system 5 installed, including twocontainers 10, a container supporting structure 12, and severalisolation pads 20. In the shown example, the isolation pads 20 arewelded to the container supporting structure 12. Other means ofattaching isolation pads 20 and the container supporting structure 12are shown and discussed below with respect to FIG. 10. FIG. 2B showsanother example of the container supporting structure 12 and isolationpads 20 without containers 10 loaded onto it.

In FIG. 3, an example isolation pad 20 is shown alone. In this example,isolation pad 20 comprises a plate 22 and an underlayer 24. In thisview, the plate 22 and the underlayer 24 are visible. In the exampleshown, the plate 22 is made of 0.25″ corrosion resistant steel and theunderlayer 24 is high-density polyethylene. In the example shown, thesepieces are held together with mechanical fasteners (discussed below)inserted into threaded holes 26. FIG. 4A shows the isolation pad 20 froma top view and 4B shows this from a bottom.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the isolation system 5 taken throughsection 5-5 in FIG. 3, a front elevated view internal to the system,showing both the isolation pad 20 and the container holding structure12. In the example shown, the attachment mechanism between the plate 22and underlayer 24 is visible. A screw 28 fits into a threaded hole 26which runs through both the plate 22 and the underlayer 24. One ofordinary skill will appreciate that this is just one method of joiningthe plate 22 and the underlayer 24, which could also include adhesives,interlocking parts, or other suitable means.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the isolation pad 20 taken throughsection 6-6 in FIG. 5. This shows the internal isolation pad 20 from aside elevated view. In this view, a second row of screws 28 can be seenpiercing through the plate 22 and the underlayer 24.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of attachment discussed above and first shownin FIG. 5. In this instance, in order to maintain a low coefficient offriction with the foundation, the screws 28 cannot directly contact thefoundation even if the underlayer 24 deforms under loading conditionssuch several full barrels of wine atop the assembly. To do so, screw 28is covered with a cap 30 and inset into to a counterbored hole 32 tocreate a flush surface. The cap 30, shown alone in FIG. 8, is made ofthe same material as the underlayer 24 and is press fit into acounterbored hole 32. FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the parts shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 10 shows a variety of methods of attaching the parts of theisolation system 5. A variety of means can be used to hold the containerholding structure 12 and isolation pad 20 including welding as wasmentioned above. In the figure, three attachment structures are shown.The leftmost isolation pad 20 shows the welded example previously shownin FIG. 12. The middle isolation pad 20 has a multi-sided receivingstructure 42 that made is made to fit a part of the container holdingstructure 12. In this example shown, the receiving structure is shapedto hold the lateral sides of the feet of the container receivingstructure 12. Another example shown on the rightmost isolation pad 20 isthe single sided receiving structure 44, which is fitted against thefeet of the container receiving structure 12. This method allows moreflexibility than multi-sided receiving structure 42.

FIG. 11A shows yet another example of the isolation system 5. Thisversion uses a releasable connector, such as toggle bolts 50, to securethe container holding structure 12 to the isolation pad 20. The togglebolts are shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C in their closed and open positionsrespectively. The toggle bolts 50 are inserted through apertures 52 inthe receiving structure 42 as shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 12A shows thisexample isolation system 5 from a top view, while FIG. 12B shows abottom view. FIG. 12C shows the example isolation pad 20 of the system 5shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12D shows the pad 20 from a side view. Thereceiving structure 42 is shown in FIG. 13A-C with aperture 52.

Although certain example methods and apparatus have been describedherein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited hereto. Onthe contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles ofmanufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claimseither literally or under the doctrine of equivalent.

1. A base isolation system for a container comprising: a plate slidingon a foundation, positioned between the container and the foundationsuch that the plate contacts a surface of the foundation, the platecomprising: a plate base; an underlayer comprising a polymer and affixedto a surface of the plate facing the foundation; a coating locatedbetween the underlayer and the foundation; and a releasable connector tocouple the container to the plate, wherein the polymer of the underlayerand the coating are configured such that, in combination, a coefficientof static friction and a coefficient of kinetic friction between thecoating and the foundation prevents relative movement at an interfacebetween the plate and the foundation in normal operation and permits theplate to move relative to the foundation during a seismic event, whereinthe surface of the foundation is altered to achieve the coefficient ofstatic friction and the coefficient of kinetic friction between thecoating and the foundation, and wherein the plate is an only platebetween the container and the foundation and the container is placeddirectly on the plate.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The base isolation system ofclaim 1, wherein the foundation is a concrete floor.
 4. The baseisolation system of claim 1, wherein the alteration to the foundation ispolishing.
 5. The base isolation system of claim 1, further comprising acontainer holding structure between the container and the plate. 6.(canceled)
 7. The base isolation system of claim 1, wherein the coatingis a lubricant disposed between the underlayer and the foundation toreduce the coefficient of static and kinetic friction.
 8. The baseisolation system of claim 1, wherein the releasable connector is atoggle bolt.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. A method of isolating thebase of a container comprising: positioning a plate between thecontainer and a foundation such that the plate contacts a surface of thefoundation and slides on the surface, the plate comprising a plate base,an underlayer, and a plate coating; adding the underlayer to the platecomprising a polymer with an underlayer material composition to createan isolation pad; securing the container to the plate with a releasableconnector; polishing a surface of the foundation; and positioning aplate coating such that the coating is located between the underlayerand the foundation, wherein a coefficient of static friction and acoefficient of kinetic friction between the coating and the foundationare configured such that the polymer of the underlayer and the coating,in combination, prevent relative movement between the plate and thefoundation in normal operation and permit the plate to move relative tothe foundation during a seismic event, wherein the polishing of thesurface of the foundation alters the coefficient of static friction andthe coefficient of kinetic friction between the coating and thefoundation, and wherein the plate is an only plate between the containerand the foundation and the container is placed directly on the plate.12. The base isolation system of claim 1 wherein the polymer is selectedfrom one of the following: high density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra-highmolecular weight polyethylene (UHMW), polyester triglycidyl isocyanurate(TGIC polyester), polyester powder coating, and silicone-epoxy.
 13. Abase isolation system for a container comprising: a plate sliding on afoundation, positioned between the container and the foundation suchthat the plate contacts a surface of the foundation, the platecomprising: a plate base; an underlayer with a material composition isaffixed to a surface of the plate facing the foundation; a coatingdeposited such that the coating is located between the underlayer andthe foundation; and a releasable connector to couple the container tothe plate, wherein the material composition of the underlayer and thecoating are configured, in combination, as a means for providing acoefficient of static and kinetic friction between the coating and thefoundation that prevents relative movement between the plate and thefoundation in a normal operation while permitting the plate to moverelative to the foundation during a seismic event, wherein the surfaceof the foundation is altered to achieve the coefficient of staticfriction and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the coating andthe foundation, and wherein the plate is an only plate between thecontainer and the foundation and the container is placed directly on theplate.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The base isolation system of claim 1 whereinthe plate coating is a lubricating fluid.
 16. The base isolation systemof claim 13 wherein the plate coating is a lubricating fluid.
 17. A baseisolation system for a container comprising: a plate sliding on afoundation, positioned between the container and the foundation suchthat the plate contacts a surface of the foundation, the platecomprising: a plate base; an underlayer sliding directly on thefoundation, the underlayer comprising a polymer and affixed to a surfaceof the plate facing the foundation; a coating deposited located betweenthe underlayer and the foundation; and a releasable connector to couplethe container to the plate,  wherein the polymer of the underlayer andthe coating are configured such that, in combination, a coefficient ofstatic friction and a coefficient of kinetic friction between thecoating and the foundation prevents relative movement at an interfacebetween the plate and the foundation in normal operation and permits theplate to slide relative to the foundation during a seismic event, and wherein the surface of the foundation is altered to achieve thecoefficient of static friction and the coefficient of kinetic frictionbetween the coating and the foundation, and  wherein the plate is anonly plate between the container and the foundation and the container isplaced directly on the plate.
 18. The base isolation system of claim 1wherein the underlayer is made of high density polyethylene.
 19. Thebase isolation system of claim 1 wherein the underlayer is made ofsilicone epoxy.
 20. The base isolation system of claim 17 wherein theunderlayer is made of high density polyethylene.
 21. The base isolationsystem of claim 17 wherein the underlayer is made of silicone epoxy. 22.The base isolation system of claim 1 wherein the underlayer slideswithout restriction on the foundation during a seismic event.
 23. Thebase isolation system of claim 1 wherein the underlayer slidescontinuously across the foundation during a seismic event.
 24. The baseisolation system of claim 1 wherein the sliding of the underlayer on thefoundation is unbounded.